Air washing apparatus



Nov. 12, 1957 v. J. ROS'CETTI ET AL AIR WASHING APPARATUS- Filed D00. 30, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 muunm Q I) o 515' l B v w I '0 I II m n 3 r\ I 2 Ll N VINCENT J. Roscgrr PERCY Ros CETT/ INVENTORS ATTORNEY vl J. ROSCETTI ETAL AIR WASHING APPARATUS Nov. 12, 1957 Filed Dec. 30, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 V/NCENTJ. ROSCETT/ PERCY Roscar'r/ INVENTORS BY ,ZW

ATTORNEY Nov. 12, 1957 v. J. ROSCETT! ETAL 2,812,930

' AIR WASHING APPARATUS V Filed Dec. 30, 1954. 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Vmcmnl. RosctiTrl PERCY Rosczrr INVENTORS BY I A T-TORNEY 1957 v. J. ROSCETTI ET AL I 2,812,930

AIR WASHING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 30, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 VIN CEN T J. Ros c5 TT/ PERCY RoscETT/ INVENTORS I ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 12, 1957 ice 7 AIR WASHING APPARATUS Vincent Roscetti and Percy Roscetti, Springfield, Ill.

Application December 30, 1954, Serial No. 478,662

4 Claims. (Cl. 261--29) This invention relates to an air washing apparatus.

The invention is more particularly concerned with apparatus for disposing of dust in coal mines.

In the larger mines, coal is dug by machines which in operation cause a dust laden atmosphere which is breathed by the miners.

Coal dust is the most serious safety and health hazard in coal mines, as for example, the presence of undue quantities of coal dust in the working areas of coal mines is of a known dangerous nature, and the Federal Government is vitally concerned and requires that coal mines in general be equipped with effective dust removal means. Furthermore, the constant inhaling of coal dust by the miners is known to result in what is termed silicosis, caused by repetitious lung irritation by the erosive action of dust. Silicosis in numerous instances has been fatal and has long been a problem for miners, management and owners.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide apparatus for effectively removing coal dust from the atmosphere in coal mines.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of simple, rugged and efficient form for the aforesaid purpose.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will present themselves in the course of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved machine, as observed from one side thereof.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the machine as observed from the opposite side thereof, and wherein the wind tunnel is broken away.

Fig. 3 is a broken away view partly in vertical longitudinal section and partly in side elevation and showing in particular the course of the water-moistened dust from the atomizer head end of the machine, through the wind tunnel and thence out through the moistened dust disintegrating screen.

Fig. 4 is a fragmental perspective view of the motor end of the machine with the protective drive chain shield removed for clear view of the chain. I

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmental view of the central portion of the fan on which is disposed a water-atomizing head forming one of the essential'features of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view substantially centrally of the structure shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmental vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 6 but showing in addition thereto the water nozzle embodied in the invention, in action.

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the forward end of a wind tunnel embodied in the invention and showing in particular the fan and the water atomizing head supported thereon.

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the wind tunnel as observed from the forward end thereof, with the fan removed and the screen being shown on the rear end.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the machine comprises a suitable base 10 on which is supported a frame 11. Supported on the frame 11 is an elongated cylindrical wind tunnel member 12 adjacent the front and rear ends of which are bearing elements 13 and 14 secured axially of the tunnel by means of radially disposed rods 15 and 16 respectively.

Rotatably supported by the bearing elements 13 and 14 is a shaft 17 whose forward end is provided with a fan attaching disk 18 and whose rear end extends into a gear reduction unit 19 which is in driving connection with an electric motor 20. The motor is provided with a power lead 21 extending from a power source 22 which is provided with a switch 23.

Supported on the frame 11 is a water pump .24 which is driven by the motor 20 through a chain 25 normally disposed within a protecting shield 26 (Fig. 1) and a second gear reduction unit 26' is preferably provided on the chain end of the motor.

Supported on the base 10 is a water tank 27 which may be approximately of 14 gallon capacity, or larger if found desirable.

. The tank 27 is provided with a filling neck 28. A water supply line 29 extends from the tank 27 to one side of the pump 24 and a water pressure line 30 extends from the other side of the pump with its front portion extending about the perimeter of the wind tunnel as is clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9 and the pressure line is extended into a water return line 31.

As indicated in Figs. 3, 8 and 9, the water pressure.

line includes a terminal portion disposed radially of the wind tunnel member 12 and is provided with a nozzle 32 (Figs. 3 and 7) which is directed inwardly and axially of the wind tunnel member.

As is more clearly indicated in Fig. 3, the bearing 13 is disposed inwardly of the front end of the wind tunnel member 12 and such end is provided with a protecting frame 33 through which the nozzle 32 projects. Secured to the disk member 18 as by means of screws 34 is a fan 35 which, as indicated in Figs. 5 and 8, comprises three blades 36 each of which is provided with an outwardly directed rib 37. Suitably secured to the central portion of the fan 35 is a dome-shaped member 38 having peripheral notches 39 for receiving the ribs 37 and the convex face of such member opposes the nozzle 32 in axially spaced relation thereto.

Secured to the outer convex face of the member 38 are three webs 40 disposed in substantially spaced relation.

A frusto-conical member 41 is disposed co-axially of the member 38 and on the convex side thereof as well as between the member 38 and the nozzle 32. The member 41 at its apex is provided with an aperture 42 into which the end of nozzle 32 projects and the base edge of the member 41 is rigidly secured to the convex face of member 38, as by means of spot welding.

The member 41 is provided with a plurality of marginal slits 43, one adjacent each rib 37. As indicated in Fig. 5, one of the slits 43 is disposed substantially in register with an adjacent rib 37 while the other slits are somewhat advanced with relation to the ribs.

The structure 38 to 43 constitutes a water-atomizing head.

Spanning the rear end of the tunnel member 12 is a moistened dust disintegrating screen 44.

The above described machine operates as follows:

Upon closing switch 23, the motor 20 will be set into operation with a resulting operation of the pump 24, as well as the fan 35. The atomizer head constituted by members 33 to 43 will rotate with the fan and a jet of water will be forced from the nozzle 32 onto the apex of the dome-shaped member 38 and which water will be restrained by the webs 40 whereby same will be forcefully ejected through the slits 43 with a resulting vapor within the tunnel member 12 and which vapor is constantly forced rearwardly of the tunnel member and escapes through the screen 44 which results in a disintegration of the moistened dust which is constantly drawn into the forward end of the wind tunnel by the partial vacuum Within the wind tunnel caused by the fan 35.

The motor 20 rotates at 8,500 R. 'P. M. idle speed, but isreduced in speed by means of gear reduction mechanism within its housing, to approximately 4,000 R. P. M. This type of motor is regularly available.

The water pump 24 is preferably operated at 1,725 R. P. M. while the fan operates at 4,000 R. P. M. The water consumption in normal operation is approximately one gallon per hour.

From the above, it will be seen that the improved apparatus consists in means for forcing dust and water into one end of a wind tunnel, and simultaneously therewith, atomizing the water, whereby the dust is completely moistened in its movements through the tunnel, and subjecting the moistened dust to a disintegrating action upon its exit from the wind tunnel.

Having set forth our invention in accordance with a preferred single structural embodiment thereof, what we claim and desire to secure by U. S. Letters Patent is 1. In a machine of the character described and for the purpose set forth, an elongated wind tunnel, a water supply, a fan rotatably supported in the front end of the tunnel, said fan being provided with an outwardly pressed rib lengthwise of each blade thereof, a dome-shaped member secured to the central portion of the fan with its convex surface opposing a water nozzle, a frusto-conical member having its base secured to said dome-shaped member and having an aperture in its smaller end axially aligned with said nozzle for admission of water into a space between said dome-shaped member and said frustoconical member, and slits in the base edge of said frustoconical member for escape of water which is forced rearwardly of said tunnel by said fan, a screen within and at the rear end of the tunnel, a motor operatively connected to the fan for rotating the same, a pump operatively connected to the motor, and conduits between the water supply, pump and nozzle whereby upon rotation of said fan and said pump water mist is admitted to the front end of said tunnel in contact with the entrained mine dust and the wetted dust is forced rearwardly within said tunnel by said fan against and through said screen.

2. The structure according to claim 1, together with a web on said dome shaped member in advance of each of said slits for restraining the flow of water with a resulting atomization thereof upon passing through said slits.

3. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said dome-shaped member is provided with arcuate walled slits for accommodating said fan blade ribs.

4. The structure according to claim 1, wherein said slits in said frusto-conical member are substantially aligned with said ribs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,224,221 Galson Dec. 10, 1940 2,628,084 Denman Feb. 10, 1953 2,655,349 Beavin Oct. 13, 1953 2,698,745 Boucher I an. 4, 1955 

